Convenience Matters

Testing, learning, analyzing and ruffling some feathers are some of the keys to success for launching new ideas. Related Links: Andy Ellwood's website Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS and Britt Brewer, Marketing Manager, NACS About our Guest: Andy Ellwood, Founder, Basket Andy Ellwood is an Executive Coach based in NYC and serves coaching partners worldwide. Andy partners with...

The inaugural 2020 Fuel Leaders report, published by Fuels Market News and NACS and compiled by OPIS, tracks the performance of over 250 fuel retailers with a solid overview of the industry's top 50 fuel operators. In this episode, we'll talk about the methodology and analysis behind the rankings. Related Links: 2020 Fuel Leaders, Fuels Market News Magazine OPIS Brand Power Ranking Report OPIS Ret...

Having an app is not a strategy, it's just one step in building a cohesive digital strategy to enhance the customer's experience. Find out what else makes up a digitally sophisticated brand. Related Links: Hathway Website Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS About our Guests: Matt Carinio, VP, Strategy, Hathway With 20 year...

According to this independent operator, "your net worth is your network" and connecting with other entrepreneurs is the best way to grow your business. Hear tips to attract and retain employees and beat your competition from 3-store convenience retailer, Bassem Nowyhed. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS About o...

Innovation is important but it must be done with purpose and intention and with leadership to lead it and a culture to accept it. How do you take innovation from the C-suite to the C-store? Related Links: Leapfrogging Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS About our Guest: Soren Kaplan, Managing Principal, InnovationPoint Soren...

According to NACS research, 2021 is shaping up to be a good year for c-store sales. But, it depends whether you compare sales to 2019 or 2020, what category you're looking at, where you live and whether trends stay or go. Related Links: NACS Research NACS State of the Industry Report NACS | CSX Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategis...

Convenience store sales of fresh and prepackaged foodservice items have grown exponentially in the last decade. Find out what convenient options prevailed during the pandemic and are expected to propel growth into the future. Related Links: Core-Mark website Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS About our Guest: Ja...

Most convenience retailers have food safety processes and training in place, many also find that that a lack of consistency and agreement among employees is driving an increased focus on food safety culture. Related Links: Cultivate Food Safety website NACS Magazine, October 2020 "Growing a Culture of Food Safety" NACS Magazine, July 2017 "Protecting Your Food Brand" NACS Food Safety Resources Hos...

Retail competition for share of customer dollars has never been so great as the lines between channels continue to blur. Seamless digital experiences earn a customer's loyalty - no matter how, where and when they shop. Related Links: Stuzo Website NACS Daily "Rewards Programs Boost Store Transactions" Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of O...

24/7 Day spotlights the convenience retail industry's important role in supporting the communities served and where convenience stores can show these frontline workers they care in small, tangible ways. Find out how to get involved on July 24th at 247Day.org. Related Links: 24/7 Day NACS Foundation Homepage Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS About our Guests: Stephanie...

A Renewable Identification Number, aka a RIN, is a credit that gets attached to every renewable fuel gallon that gets produced in the United States. In this episode, we're going to talk about renewable fuels, what's going on with the prices of RINs, how they relate to EVs and fuel demand. Related Links: RIN Alliance Fuels Institute Report "Biomass-Based Diesel: A Market and Performance Analysis NA...

AAA forecasts 34.4 million Americans will travel by car for the 2021 Memorial Day holiday weekend. How can convenience retailers prepare travelers for their safe return to the road? Related Links: AAA AAA Newsroom Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS About our Guest: Andrew Gross, Public Relations Manager, AAA Nat...

The U.S. charging infrastructure is ramping up to keep up with EV owner demand. This innovative solution put charging in the hands of car owners...conveniently, of course. Related Links: Spark Charge Fuels Institute EV Market Regulatory Report Carpool Chats Episode #23: Charging on the Run Hosted by: Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Init...

While total industry transactions declined nearly 14% in 2020, basket sizes increased by almost 19% compared with 2019. We're digging into those numbers to identify the opportunities retailers can activate this year and beyond. Related Links: NACS Research NACS State of the Industry Survey NACS State of the Industry Report Blog: The Why Behind Convenience Stores Previous Episodes featuring Lori St...

Consumers are interested in a sense of fulfillment when they shop their local convenience store, whether through innovative products, store cleanliness or friendly interactions with employees. In this episode, we're talking about how retailers can meet and exceed customer needs by incorporating modern store design. Related Links: Cenex LIFT Initiative Cenex Home Page Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Str...

NACS Convenience Voices research examines data from thousands of convenience store shoppers through mobile interviews to learn about their preferences, behaviors, attitudes and purchases. Hear about opportunities retailers can capitalize on to grow sales and increase customer frequency. Related Links: NACS Convenience Voices Program Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS a...

A strong brand matches colors, words, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes to earn the customers that you want most. In this episode, the author of "Your Brand Sucks: How to Ignite a Brand that Doesn't," gives tips to create and nurture a successful brand. Related Links: Ernburn Brands Your Brand Sucks: How to Ignite a Brand That Doesn't NACS Marketing Leadership Program Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Di...

The global pandemic placed a new premium on physical health and safety and that's led to a rapid embrace of new mobile payment options. What can retailers and consumers do to ensure their own digital safety? Related Links: Conexxus Data Privacy Resources Conexxus Home Page Article: Is a Tailored Managed Fraud Service Right for Your Business? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiative...

Enough dancing around, it's time to look ahead at the future of cars because an electric reality is coming quickly - very quickly if you live in places that mandate it soon like the UK. We're talking about what the future might hold for cars, customers and travel. Related Links: The Future of the Car & Roadside Retail Shop Talk LIVE Global Convenience Store Focus Electric Vehicle Council NACS topi...

How did gas prices get where they are in 2021 and what are some long-term implications for where gasoline demand and prices are going over the next few years? All that and more on this week's episode. Related Links: NACS Fuels Resource Center  OPIS Blog OPIS Homepage Fuels Institute Report: Proposals to Ban the Sale of Combustion Engine Vehicles Hosted by: Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initia...

The Colonial Pipeline transports more than 100 million gallons of fuel each day from Houston, Texas, to the New York Harbor. Hear how refined product moves across this 5,500-mile system, and how it comes back online after a disaster strikes. Related Links: Interview with Daniel Gordon, VP & Chief Commercial Officer, Colonial Pipeline Company Consumer Energy Alliance Pipelines for America How Refin...

Engaging customers is something Disney and convenience stores have in common. A former Disney employee-turned-convenience retailer shares how c-store employees can delight and exceed customer expectations each day with positive experiences that build brand loyalty and repeat customers. Related Links: https://www.convenience.org/Topics/HumanResources https://www.convenience.org/events/HR-Forum http...

The Retailer Deep Dive series showcases industry leaders who are staying ahead of the ever-changing consumer and retail landscape. In this episode, Lonnie McQuirter of 36 Lyn Refuel Station shares how he relies on his NACS community to grow and how his Minneapolis community relies on him to thrive. Watch additional videos at convenience.org/36Lyn . Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic In...

With more people leaving their home kitchens and exploring new foods, convenience stores and restaurants are ready to re-capture customers. Mark DiDomenico of Datassential shares his insights on food and menu trends transpiring in 2021. Hosted by: Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS About our Guest: Mark DiDomenico, Director, Customer...

Although environmental, social and governance (ESG) planning is voluntary, that could change with legislative efforts to drive greater sustainability programming in the future. What does this mean for convenience retailers as they consider how and when to implement ESG planning? Hosted by: John Eichberger, Executive Director, The Fuels Institute About our Guest: Jeff Hove, Vice President, The Fuel...